<ARTICLE>                             5
<LEGEND>











EXHIBIT 27


Exhibit 27
Avon Products, Inc.
Financial Data Schedule

     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Avon Products, Inc. financial statements as of December 31, 1996 and for the
year then ended included in the Form 10-K as of December 31, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.

<MULTIPLIER>                     1000000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                   JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                     DEC-31-1996

<CASH>                                   185
<SECURITIES>                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                            473
<ALLOWANCES>                             (36)
<INVENTORY>                              530
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       1,350
<PP&E>                                 1,225
<DEPRECIATION>                          (658)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         2,222
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  1,391
<BONDS>                                  105
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                                  44
<OTHER-SE>                               198
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           2,222
<SALES>                                4,814
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       4,814
<CGS>                                  1,921
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          4,190
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           9
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          79
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        40
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          510
<INCOME-TAX>                             191
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      318
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                             318
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           2.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                           2.38